Special thanks as always to Poetry Center San Jose for helping to promote these and other poetry events throughout the city of San Jose! Visit them at http://www.pcsj.org/

Media Poetry Studio

I have teamed up with fellow poets laureate Erica Goss and Jennifer Swanton Brown to offer a summer day camp that teaches young women how to make short films based on their poetry. If you’d like more info watch our video or check out our website.

Content Magazine

I am now working with Content Magazine to curate a literary arts section, which has become part of every issue! So far the magazine has run stories on Mark Heinlein and myself. The current issue features author Cathleen Miller. Learn more, and pick up your own issue at http://content-magazine.com/home/

Calendar now in “Laureate Schedule”

The “Laureate Schedule” of my blog now contains a google calendar. This should make it easier to see at a glance my upcoming events. Just click on an event in the calendar for more information. Check it out here!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Silicon Valley Reads Poet Laureate Reading

When: Thu, March 12, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Where: Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95116

This reading features current and former laureates from all over the county including Parthenia Hicks, Erica Goss, David Denny, Jennifer Swanton Brown, Nils Peterson, Sally Ashton and myself. Learn more about SV Reads at http://www.siliconvalleyreads.org/

I will be the featured reader at the Willow Glenn Poetry Project, a very well attended reading by some of the south bay’s most dedicated poets. My reading will last about 40 minutes. There will also be an open mic. Make sure to arrive early if you want to sign up. It fills up fast! For more information on the Willow Glenn Poetry Project visit http://willowglenpoetry.com/events/the-venue/

Milpitas Poetry Slam

When: Wed, April 1, 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Where: Milpitas Library, 160 North Main Street, Milpitas, CA 95035, United States

I’ll be hosting the Milpitas poetry slam on this date. The Milpitas library hosts one of the most active communities in terms of youth poetry in Santa Clara County. The slam reflects this. There are always a lot of youth voices, but older generations usually join in as well. It’s a fun and relaxed atmosphere. One of my favorite recurring events.

I’ll be doing a solo reading at the CLA on this date. Working on some new poems to debut! Book signing to follow the event. In conjunction with this event, I will also offer a reading for the student body at Mt. Pleasant High School at 3pm on April 14. For more information, visit http://www.litart.org/david-perez/

I’m joining Cupertino poet laureate, Jennifer Swanton Brown, to co-teach a teen poetry workshop. The workshop is free of charge. If you know a young person who is interested in writing poetry, please encourage him or her to attend! Attendees must pre-register by contacting Teen Services Librarian, Matt Lorenzo at 408-446-1677 x3344 or sending an email via my contact page.

San Jose Poetry Festival

When: Sun, April 12, 9am – 5pm

Where: Le Petit Trianon, 72 N. 5th St. San Jose, CA

Come for one or two events or stay for the whole day! There’ll be readings, book signings, free takeaways to commemorate the event, and plenty of inspiration to try your hand at writing a poem. If you have something to share, you can do so at the open mic. Check out the full schedule of events: https://sjpoetryfest.wordpress.com/schedule/ or view pricing details: https://sjpoetryfest.wordpress.com/register/. Special thanks to David Eisbach for organizing the festival!

6th Annual San Jose Museum of Art Poetry Invitational

When: Thurs, April 16, 7-8pm

Where: San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S. Market St, San Jose, CA 95110

$5 Admission (free for museum members)

Poetry and visual art come together at the Annual SJMA Poetry Invitational. Poets write pieces inspired by work in the museum’s permanent collection then read their poetry side-by-side with the art. Join us for what has become a proud San Jose tradition. Learn more at SJMA’s event page: http://sjmusart.org/event/third-thursday-6th-annual-poetry-invitational

I’ll be joining Cupertino Poet Laureate, Jennifer Swanton Brown, again to offer custom poetry written off the cuff on my vintage Royal typewriter. The booth is part of the Cherry Blossom festival, a celebration of Japanese culture, with traditional exhibitions, entertainment and food. For more info, visit http://www.cupertinotoyokawa.org/cherry-blossom-festival.html

Milpitas Poetry Workshop (All Ages)

When: Wed, April 29, 7pm – 9pm

Where: Milpitas Library, 160 North Main Street, Milpitas, CA 95035, United States

Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of work with youth, but this workshop is open to all ages! It is also free of charge. If you like, please bring a poem you’ve written, and I will make time to have the group offer feedback. If you have any questions send an email via my contact page.

Poetry Out Loud & Youth Poetry Outreach

One of my main goals as laureate is to offer poetry instruction to as many young poets as possible throughout the county.

To this end I worked with Poetry Out Loud, an organization that puts on a national level poetry recitation contest, throughout the month of January to offer one-on-one coaching to a number of contestants from within Santa Clara County.

I have also continued work through my ongoing partnership with FutureArtsNow, a non-profit organization connecting youth and teaching artists. From January to February of 2015, I conducted a series of 6 workshops at Clyde L. Fisher Middle School for over 50 students.

I am also offering a series of 10 workshops in a small group setting at KIPP Heartwood Middle School from February to April 2015. My hope is that I can bring some of the talent I find together for a youth poetry reading during the summer of 2015. Stay tuned for updates in a later post.

Enjoyed the 3 Laureates last night. Really want a copy of David’s piece about the computer and cannot locate it on line and it was not in the book. Love the book. Brought it home. Just want to add the computer/chess piece. Give me guidance.

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About

Arlene Biala is a Filipina poet and performance artist, born in San Francisco, CA. She is the author of bone, her first chapbook of poetry published in 1993, continental drift, and her beckoning hands, published by Word Poetry - WordTech Editions in July, 2014. She received her MFA in Poetics & Writing from New College of CA, and was the recipient of an artist residency at Montalvo. her beckoning hands recently won a 2015 American Book Award. Performances and workshops include University of Texas at El Paso, Writers’ Week at UC Riverside, DiVERSEcity in NYC, San Francisco Asian American Jazz Festival, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Manilatown Center at the I-Hotel, La Pena Cultural Center, APAture at Intersection for the Arts, Santa Clara University, and SOMArts Center in San Francisco. She has also performed for and taught creative writing workshops with elementary and high school youth. She lives in Sunnyvale, CA with husband Carl, (blue) Queensland Heeler Pepper, and their three children: Kai, (aries)15; Josh (scorpio)12; and Kiana (scorpio, again) 10.